CountsFTW

HISTORY OF THIS COUNTSFAMILYby Ray Counts

This story begins with Henchin Kuntze, born about 1500 AD in the Nassau-Siegonregion of Pre Germany Europe, in the township of Niderndorf. Thiswas just eight years after the 1492 discovery of the American Continentby Christopher Columbus.

In the time line of European history, it was near the end of the"Dark Ages" and beginning of the "Religious Reformation" leadingto the 30 year war in Europe. The Nassau-Siegon region was part of thebattle ground of this war. that resulted in the (Treaty of Westphalia)1648. Although the treaty provided a end to the conflict of outside powers,it did not end local hostilities in this war ravaged land ruled by tribalwar lords. The first five Counts Family generations depicted herein seemto have lived in this area throughout the war. These residents were lookingfor a better place to live. Stories of a better life in the New World "America"were circulating. Explorations into some regions of this new world werebeing sponsored by various Countries. Emigration this New Word beginto accelerate by the year 1600

On May 14, 1607, James town was organizedunder the leadership of John Smith, becoming the first permanent EnglishColony.In 1608, France, under the leadershipof Samuel de Champlian founded Quebec on the St. Lawrence River.In 1614, the Dutch established a tradingpost near Albany. becoming the second permanent settlement.On December 21, 1620 a ship named MayflowerCompact arrived in Massachusetts from England with more than 100 peopleon board becoming the third permanent and the second English settlement.1623, New Hampshire was settled.1624, The Dutch formed the fourth colony named New Netherland.1634, Maryland become the fifth Colony.1635, Connecticut become the sixth Colony.1636, Rhode Island was settled.1638, Delaware was settled.1653, North Carolina was settled.1664, New Jersey was settled.1670, South Carolina was settled.1681, Pennsylvania was settled by Quakers.1733, Georgia was settled.

Each of these original 13 colonies functioned under self rule.

In the year 1714, while these settlementswere being formed in America. Alexander Spotswood had been commissionedto open the Virginia Territory. In his search for a means to lure peopleto this new area, he found the presence of Iron Ore and decided to developit, primarily as a means to populate the land. He met with one Baronde Graffenreid (who was to soon return to Germany) to persuade him to findsome miners from the old country to develop mining operations. Baron deGraffenreid on his return to Europe, found and persuaded 14 individualswith families totalling 42 persons from the town of Sigen in the principalityof Nassau-Siegon, to go to America. Thus these First pioneers arrived atTappahannock, Virginia in the spring of 1714.

Reference Joseph Coons: (shown on the Germanna list of the First Colony)ails (6th Generation Joseph "Jost" Cuntze, (found in the book "Ancestryand Descendants of the Nassau-Siegen Immigrants to Virginia" by B. C. Holtzclaw)was a Third Great Grandson of Henchin Cuntze, hiswife (Anna Getrud Reinschmidt "who apparently died soon after arrival inAmerica"), one son (Johannas born April 16, 1706) and two daughters (AnnaElizabeth and Catherine) were a part of this group. They cleared land andbuilt homes surrounded by a high fence made of logs to protect the colony.It would later be known as Fort Germanna located near Culpepper, Virginiaon present day maps. Sometime in early 1719this 1714 group of colonist (as a group) purchased land in the NorthernNeck of Virginia, and moved. Jost Cuntze then married (2) 1724 CatherineWeaver. They had four children (Henry, Tillman, Mary and Anna Catherine).

Thanks to Mr. B.C. Holtzclaw for documenting many records of thefirst eight generations from old church records found in Germany. . Niderndorfwas located near Cologne, in the West Central Rhine River Valley of Germanyon present day maps.

The year 1689 marks the beginning of aa conflict over fishing rights, fur trade and Indian Alliances betweenEngland and France known as the "French Indian War" that escalated intothree different wars fought in both Europe and America. Under the influenceof the French, some of the American Indian Tribes become hostile towardthe settlers over land. Under direction of the Pennsylvania, English, severalsmall forts were constructed to provide a safe haven for settlers. Thisalso served the English as a first line of defence. In 1763the Treaty of Paris was signed ending the French Indian War. It also endedFrench power in the New World, making Great Britain the Supreme power thusmaking English speech and customs the prevailing culture. CountsFamily generations 6,7, 8 and 9 lived through this period.

After the French Indian War, Great Britain began enforcing restrictionson American Trade and Manufacturing. Direct taxes were severed on the colonistcausing extreme resentment. The English responded with more restrictionsand taxes causing more resentment.

1775, the first battle of the AmericanRevolution took place when the English destroyed supplies at Concord..This was the night of the now famous ride of Paul Revere. On May10, 1775, the second Continental Congressmet at Philadelphia bringing all of the colonies together for the firsttime to take charge of the war. This congress appointed George Washingtoncommander in chief of the Continental forces. After almost six years ofsuffering extreme hardships, in 1781, a armyof combined forces of the Americans and the French under the command ofLord Cornwallis defeated the English army. In 1783,the Treaty of Paris was accepted by both the American and English and anew nation was established. It's boundaries were defined as Canada on theNorth. The Mississippi River on the West and the Atlantic Ocean on theEast. Florida and all lands West of the Mississippi belonged to Spain.CountsFamily generations 8 and 9 lived through this period.

1785 (Gen. 8 & 9 TheContinental Congress passed the Ordnance of 1785where in claims of the Western Lands wereseceded back to the new government, in return the land was divided intotownships of six square miles. Each township was then subdivided into 36numbered sections (640 acres). The lands were then sold at auction fora minimum of one dollar per acre. This event started a Westward migrationof the population into the new wild frontiers. The English part of thepopulation were prone to stay in the settled areas while the Irish,Scottish and German parts were prone to move to the new unsettled Westernfrontiers.

1787 (Gen 8 & 9) The Constitutionof the United States was drafted and ratified making it the official Constitutionof the United States still in effect today. This action replaced the ContinentalCongress with the first true national government organized under the Articlesof Confederation and ratified by all 13 colonies replacing the ContinentalCongress with the a new national government under the Articles of Confederation.Without a central authority, this new government was only a league of looselyheld states that were virtually independent nations consisting of sparselyspaced settlements between the Appalacation Mountains on the West and theAtlantic Ocean on the East and the newly acquired, government owned,unsettled land area between the Appalacation Mountains and the MississippiRiver. The country fell into a business depression. Farm products fell20 percent.

1791 (Gen 9 & 10) WashingtonD. C. was selected to be the capital of the new republic. Vermont becomes the first new state added to the original 13.

1792 (Gen 9 & 10) Kentuckybecame the first Western state. (West of the Appalaciation Mountains) Tennessee was admitted to the Union.

1803 (Gen 10 & 11) ThomasJefferson carried through with the Louisiana Purchase Five new states are admitted to the Union.

1812 (Gen 10 & 11) GreatBritain and France were a war again. The British did not want the UnitedStates to trade with France. They pirated United States ships taking sailorsfrom them and they armed Indians in the West to fight against AmericanSettlers. In effort to defend itself as a nation, the United States declaredwar on Great Britain. This war of 1812was unpopular to citizens of both Nations.

Louisiana is admitted to the Union.

1821 (Gen 10 & 11) Mexicowon it's independence from Spain. Texas became a Mexican State. Settlersfrom the United States were welcomed leading to disagreements and skirmisheswith Mexican Troops.

1845 (Gen 11 & 12) Texasaccepts annexation by the United States becoming the 28 state. Under termsof this annexation, Texas is granted he option to cede from the UnitedStates.

This same year, the Potato Famine of Europe waskilling thousands of people. This increased the migration from EuropeanCountries. Ellis Island become the primary port of entry to America.

The UnitedStates and Mexico disagreed on the new boundary separating the two nationscreated when the United States Annexed Texas. The Mexican American Warwas declared on May 13, 1846 inthe following 18 months American forces conquered California, New Mexicoand Northern Mexico to near Mexico City.

1848 (Gen 11 & 12) TheUnited States and Mexico sign the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo February2, 1848 establishingthe Rio Grande River as the boundary between them. This gave the UnitedStates the territory including Northern California, New Mexico, Nevada,Utah, Arizona Colorado and Wyoming. In return Mexico received 15 milliondollars and was relieved of all claims of citizens of the United Statesagainst it.

1865 (Gen 11, 12 & 13). Thisfour year war between two geographic sections of the United States endedwith the surrender of Confederate forces. It left thousands of homelessindigents and orphan children. The Confederacy left with no funds to helpthese indigents, appropriated 16, 000 acres of land in Texas to be availableto former soldiers or their surviving families. This along with the returnto normal of travel that had been slowed during the four year war, triggereda massive migration of indigents to Texas.

The following story is presented as a brief outline of the emigrationtrails of our pioneer ancestors as they moved across the United Stateswith the opening of each new frontier. Information known not to be documented will be marked with *.

Emigration Trail of our Counts Families.

1 Henchin ..Cuntze b: Abt. 1500 in Niederndorf Germanyd: 1570 in Most likely in Niderndorf Age at death: 70 est. 2 Arnold Cuntze b: Bet. 1525 - 1535 in NiederndorfGermany d: 1590 Age at death: 65 est.... 3 Bastigen Cuntze b: Bet. 1555 - 1560 in NiederndorfGermany... 3 Johannes Cuntze b: Bet. 1570 - 1575 in NiederndorfGermany d: Bet. 1637 - 1641 in Oberfischbach, Germany Age at death: 67 est........ +Anna ?...... 4 Gotthard "Godert" Cuntze b: 1610 in OberfischbachGermany d: May 04, 1675 in Oberfischbach Germany Age at death:65 est........... +Anna b: 1632 d: August 17, 1712 in Oberfischbach,Germany Age at death: 80 est.......... 5 Johannes Cuntze b: Bet. 1640 - 1645 in NiederndorfGermany d: May 1675 in Niederndorf, Germany Age at death: 35 est.............. +Elizabeth Schuster b: Abt. 1643............ 6 Tillman Cuntze b: Abt. 1668................ +Anna Margerthe Gundermann m inOberfischbach, Germany............ 6 Christian Cuntze b: Abt. 1670 d: February25, 1732/33 in Niederndodrf, Germany Age at death: 63 est................. +Elizabeth Filtzer b: in Oberfischbach Germanyd: February 18, 1732/33 in Oberfischbach, Germany m in Oberfischbach, Germany Age at death: ?............ 6 .Johannes Cuntze b: 1671................ +Catherine Daub............... 7 Johann Jacob Kuntze b: June 13, 1697in Niderndorf, Germany.................. 8 *JohannGeorg Kuntze: Immigrated to Pennsylvania, Probably 1737.Moved to South Carolina prior to 1749. He is the pioneer of the Counts Family of SouthCarolina. We have no proof of his origin....................... +? ..........*2nd Wife of .Johannes Cuntze:................ +Anna Getrud Steiger m in NiedrendorfGermany............... 7 Christian Kuntze d: July 18, 1731 Age at death: ?................... +Anna Maria Ludwig m in Oberfischbach,Germany............... 7 Anna Margaret Kuntze................... +Tillman Weissgerber b: in Niederndodrf,Germany m in Oberfischbach, Germany............... 7 Anna Maria Kuntze................... +Tillman Weissgerber............... 7 Johann"Jost" Cuntze: ails (Joseph .Coons) b: 1712 in NiderndorfGermany d: 1794 in Culpepper Co, Virginia Age at death: 82 est. Immigrated to Culpepper County, Virginia1737. He is the pioneer of the CoonsFamily of Culpepper County, Virginia..................... +Elizabeth d: in Culpepper Co, Virginia .. 7 Catherine Kuntze b: 1713 d: 1715 Age at death: 2est............. 6 Joseph"Jost" Cuntze: b: March 22, 1673-1674 in Niderndorf, Germanyd: 1731 in Stafford Co. Virginia Age at death: 57 est. Immigrated to Germanna, SpotswoodCounty, Virginia. The area is known as Culpepper County, Virginia today. He is the first known member of this Counts Familyto arrive in America. He moved in early 1791 to Stafford County, Virginia wherehe lived until his death. + Anna Getrud Reinschmidt b Abt 1685 in Germany d Abt 1715-1717 in SpotswoodCounty, Virginia............... 7 *JohannasCuntze: ails Johannas .Cuntz b: April 16, 1706 in NiederndorfGermany d: 1777 in Augusta County, Virginia Age at death: 71 est. Immigrated with his familyto Germanna Colony, Spotswood County, Virginia at the age of eight years of age. Believed to have returnedto Germany about 1723-1724, Married (1)................... + ? Beddinger and had two childrenbefore returning to America in 1730. He was the pioneer of the Frederick County, Virginia Counts Family................... 8 *Nicoles Kunce:ailsNicholas Counts; b: Abt. 1725 in Germany d: September 1797 in GraingerCounty, Tennessee. Age at death 72 est. Immigrated from Germany 1737-1740.Known to have settled first in Frederick County, Virginia. Believed to be the son of Johannas and ? Beddinger.Moved 1755-1763 toRowan County, North Carolina;...................... +Elizabeth ? b: Abt. 1726.................... 9 NicholasCounts: ails Nichloas II Counts b: January 12, 1752 in FrederickCounty, Virginia d: August 1838 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Age at death: 86est. Moved at a young age with his family to Rowan County, North Carolina near Durham. Moved 1788 to Hawkins County (laterGrainger County) Tennessee. He was the pioneer of the Grainger County, Tennessee Counts Family......................... +Eve Sharp b: 1755 in North Carolinad: Aft. 1840 in Grainger Co. Tennessee m in NC Age at death: 85 est. 10 John Counts b 1774 in Orange County, NorthCarolina d Abt 1838 probably in Arkansas or Missouri. + Rachel Amanda Criner b 1836. 11 Jesse Thomas Counts: b: July 22, 1798 in Grainger County, Tennessee d February5, 1878 in Tharp Springs, Franklin County, Alabama. He was one of the pioneers ofthe Franklin County, Alabama Counts Family. + Esther G. Campbell b March 1802 in Grainger County, Tennessee d;September 06, 1842 in Franklin County, Alabama. 2nd Wife of Jesse Thomas Counts; + Elizabeth Jane Kirkland b; 1828 12 William Cambel Counts; b August 30, 1835in Franklin County, Alabama. d: February 12, 1925 in Wise County, Texas + Sarah Jane Horton 13 James Madison Counts: bNovember 13, 1867 in Colbert County, Alabama d: December 26, 1912 in Chico, Wise County, Texas. Age at death : 45. He was a pioneerof the Wise County, Texas Counts Family. + Ida Ozella Balch b: September 16, 1871 in Lawrence County, Alabama. d: August 16, 1899 in Chico, Wise County, Texas 2nd Wife of James Madison Counts: + Lieu Etta Nesmith b: October 11, 1881 in Lawrence County, Alabama. d: June 13, 1968 in Midland, Texas. 13 Jesse Thomas Counts: b: December 26, 1873 Colbert County, Alabama d: November 26, 1960. He was a pioneer of the Wise County,Texas Counts Family. + Miranda Gargis 10 William Counts: ailsWilliam Counce: b: 1775 in Orange County, North Carolina d:1840 in Madison County Arkansas. Age at death: 65 est. Moved 1788 with his family to GraingerCounty, Tennessee. Moved about 1805 with brothers John and George to Lawrence County, Tennessee.Moved about 1831 to Madison County, Arkansas. He is one of the pioneers of the Counts Familyof Arkansas. + Anney Bean. 11 William Jr. Counce: b::1799 Grainger County, Tennessee. d: 1864 in Carbondale, Illinois. Moved 1805 with his family to Lawrence County, Tennessee. Moved 1864 in Carbondale,Illinois. Age at death 65 est. He was the pioneer of the Lawrence County, HardinCounty and Counce, Tennessee. Counts Families. +Mary Reynolds b: 1805 in Lawrence County, Tennessee.10George Counts: b:1776 in Orange County, North Carolina. Moved 1788 with his family to Grainger County, Tennessee. Moved to Lincon County, Tennessee. He was the pioneerof the Counts Family ofLincon County, Tennessee. + Sarah "Sallie Rich b: October 10, 1784 in Orange County, NorthCarolina. 10 Mary Counts b: 1778 in Orange County, North Carolina.Moved 1788 with her family to Grainger County, Tennessee. She married Henry Bowen and they moved about1834 to Madison County, Arkansas 10. Isaac Counts: b:1780 in Orange County, North Carolina. d: Abt 1842 in Madison County, Arkansas. Moved 1788 with his family to Grainger County, Tennessee. Movedabout 1831 to Madison County, Arkansas. He was one of the pioneers of the Counts Familyof Arkansas. + Martha patsy McElhaney, 10 David Counts: b:1786 in Orange County, North Carolina d: 1861 in Trigg County, Kentucky Moved 1788 with his family to Grainger County, Tennessee. Moved Abt. 1851to Trigg County, Kentucky. He was the pioneer of the Counts Family of TriggCounty, Kentcky. +Elizabeth Howell. 2nd Wife of David Counts +Sarah "Kidwell" Spoon. 11 David Jr. Counts: b:1831 in Grainger County, Tennessee, the son of David Counts and Sarah Spoon. d: September 03, 1897 in Hill County, Texas. He moved Abt 1851 withhis family to Trigg County, Kentucky. He moved 1854 to Hill County, Texas. He was thepioneer of the Hill County, Texas Counts Family. +Frankie Arhart b: April 14, 1839 in Virginia. d: February 10, 1912 inHillsboro, Hill County, Texas. 10 Nicholas Counts: ails Nicholas III Counts: b October 1790 in Grainger County, Tennessee d: August 15, 1841 in Randolph County, Illinois. Age at death 50 est. MovedAbt. 1837 to Ste Genvieve County, Missouri with brother Aaron. He was one of the pioneers ofthe Missouri Counts Family. +Martha (Patsy) Hammars b: October 17, 1795 in Rockbridge County,Virginia. d: After 1860 in Ste Genevieve, Missouri. 10 Aaron Counts: b:May 03, 1792 in Grainger County, Tennessee d: November 30, 1878 inAvon, Ste Genevieve County, Missouri. Age at death 86. Moved Abt. 1837 to Ste.Genevieve County, Missouri with brother Nicholas. He was a pioneer of the MissouriCounts Family. + Rutha Hammer b: January 01, 1793 in Rockbridge County, Virginia. d: July 17, 1897 in Avon, Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri. 11 Joel Leyde Counts: b: December 14, 1821 in Grainger County, Tennessee. d: May 09, 1894 in Wise County, Texas. Age at death 72. Moved Abt 1837 with his familyto Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri. Moved about 1852 to Morgan Mill, Erath County, Texaswith his twin brother Henry Leyde Counts and younger brother William Benjamin Counts. Moved Abt1862 to Brown County, Texas He was the pioneer of the Brown County,Texas Counts Family. + Mary L. Thomas b: February 26, 1829 in Missouri. d: May 11, 1863 in BrownCounty, Texas. 2nd wife of Joel Leyde Counts +Martha Emily Rogers Leeth. b: 1830 d: 1890 in Wise County,Texas. 3rd wife of Joel Leyde Counts +Frances Petet. 11 Henry Leyde Counts: b:December 14, 1821 in Grainger County, Tennessee. d: August 30, 1905 Erath County, Texas At the age of 83. He move about 1837 with hisfamily to Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri. Moved about 1852 to Morgan Mill, Erath County,Texas. He was a respected early pioneer of Erath and Hood Counties of Texas. +Lydia Ellender Young b: March 10, 1828 in Wayne County, Kentucky d: May 17, 1909 in Hart, Texas. Age at death 81. 12 Joel Harvey Counts: b: February 23, 1845 in Farming ton, Missouri. d: August 31, 1915 in Roscoe, Texas. Age at death 70. He moved Abt 1852 with his family toMorgan Mill, Erath County, Texas. He married August 18, 1870. +Amanda Caraway b: January 11, 1853 in Erath County, Texas d: March 26, 1879 in Morgan Mill, Erath County, Texas. Amanda was the daughter of JesseCaraway; another pioneer of the area and founder of the Rock ChurchCommunity located in SW Hood County. One of her brothers was LewisJasper Caraway, a well known attorney who married Catharine A Thorp, the daughter of Plesant Thorp, founder of ThorpSprings, Texas. 2nd wife of Joel Harvey Counts +Millicent Frances Holt b: May 1845 in South Carolina d: 1917in Merkel, Taylor County, Texas. They moved about 1890 to Merkel, Taylor County, Texas. Joel Harveywas a Rancher and pioneer of the Taylor County, TexasCounts Family. Some of the children of Joel Harvey Counts moved West to California. 11 William Benjamin Counts: b:June 10, 1832 in Grainger County, Tennessee. d: January 20, 1901 in Erath County, Texas. He was one of the pioneers of ErathCounty, Texas. +Lousia Jane Bess: b: December 05, 1838 in Missouri. d: October 18, 1873in Denton County, Texas. Most of his children settled in West Texas. 12 Isaac Nicholas Counts:b:October 21, 1864 in Missouri. d: May 26, 1957 San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas. Moved with his family to Morgan Mill, Erath County,Texas. Moved between 1900 and 1908 to Tom Green County,Texas.. 13 Alvin Nicholas Counts:b:July 28,1886 in Erath County, Texas d: April 1983 in Coke County. He was the pioneer of the Counts Family that lived onthe Divide in Coke County, Texas.+Annie Lenora McCabe: b: October 6,1886 in Coke County, Texas. d: February 22, 1962 in Tom Green County, Texas............... 9 William Counts b: 1775 in Orange County, North Carolina d: Bet. 1806 -1846 Age at death: 31 est......................... +Sarah Freeman b: Bet. 1763 - 1786 d:Bet. 1807 - 1858 Age at death: 44 est. Some of the children of this family moved West to California................... *2nd Wife of Nicoles .Kunce:...................... +Mary b: Bet. 1720 - 1730 in Germany d:Abt. 1830 in Grainger Co. Tenn Age at death: 110 est.................... 9 AdamCounts: ails JohnAdamCounts: b: 1778 in North Carolina d: 1821 in FranklinCounty, Tennessee. Age at death: 43 est. He was a pioneer of FranklinCounty, Tennessee and Missouri......................... +? ?.................... *2nd Wife of Adam Counts:........................ +Nancy Carroll ? d: 1852 Age at death: ?.................. *3rd Wife of Nicoles .Kunce:...................... +Susanna ?......... 10 Peter Counts: b:1812 in Overton County, Tennessee + Mary Estys. 11. Richard Franklin Counts: b:April 13, 1838 in Woodville, Alabama. d: March 28, 1912 in Runnels County, Texas. Age at death 73. He was the pioneer of the RunnelsCounty, Texas Counts Family. Children of this family settled in several locations in West Texas. +Sarah Gould b: 1842 in South Carolina d: February 12, 1887in Runnels County, Texas. *2nd Wife of Johannas Cuntz. +(2) Anna Elizabetha Catherine Stover b: Bet 1706 in Germany. 8 *John Cuntz: ails Elder John Koontz:b:March 26, 1739 in Opequon, Frederick Co., VA d: April 25, 1832 in Alma Page Co. VA. Age at death: 93. He was one of the pioneersof Alma Page County, located in the Shendoah Valley of Virginia....................... +Elizabeth Baker d: 1827 in AlmaPage Co. VA. Age at death: ?................8 *GeorgeKoontz: b: Abt. 1740. He was one of the pioneers ofAlmaPage County, located in the Shendoah Valley of Virginia. *3rd Wife of Johannas Cuntz............ +(3) Elizabeth "Hetrick"Amentrout b: in Augusta County, Virginia 7 Anna Elizabeth .Cuntze b: December 23, 1708.................. + Tillman Weaver d: Bef. 1762 Age atdeath: ?.......... 7 Catherine .Cuntze b: Bet. 1713 - 1714............... +Harman Kemper...........7 HenryCuntze: : b: Abt. 1724 Stafford County, Virginia d: 1798 in Washington County, Virginia, Lived in *Frederick County, before 1755 Virginia Age at death: 73 est................+Dorthy ?.................. 8 *JohnCuntze ails John Counts of Glade Hollow: b: Abt. 1745.He was the pioneer of Russell County, Virginia. and surrounding Counties. Someof the descendants of this family moved to West Virginia, Kentucky, Montana and California....................... +Mary Magdlaine Summers b: Abt. 1746.................... 9 JohnCounts ails John Counts of Cleveland: b: Abt. 1765in Shenandoah, County, Virginia d: October 01, 1843 in Cleveland, Virginia Age at death: 78 est......................... +Margaret "Peggy" Kelley b: 1769 d:June 06, 1835 in Cleveland, Virginia Age at death: 66 est..................... 9 Philip Counts b: Abt. 1766 d: inShenandoah, County, Virginia........................ +Ann Kiser m in ShenandoahCounty, Virginia